'JACKASS 3.5': Three Stars (Out of Five)
Like 'JACKASS 2.5' before it, this direct to video (and internet) sequel compiles most of the scenes that didn't make it into the theatrical release 'JACKASS 3D'. All of the gang is back including Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Dave England, 'Wee Man', Preston Lacy, Ehren McGhehey and the late Ryan Dunn. The co-creator of 'JACKASS' (with Knoxville and Spike Jonze) Jeff Tremaine (and director of all the other 'JACKASS' films) returns to direct. The film plays more like a collection of deleted scenes and commentary than an actual movie but it's still a lot of fun if you're a fan of the franchise (and more of the usual).
The movie mostly consists of stunts that didn't go off as planned or were less effective than desired (which is the major reason it's not as good as the theatrical release). It also contains interviews with the cast and crew discussing each stunt/scene and what they liked about it as well as what they thought went wrong. It plays out more like an actual documentary than the theatrical 'JACKASS' films (sort of like an extended extra feature from one of the other DVDs. It's still pretty funny though and like I said a lot of fun.
If you've seen the other movies and TV show you obviously don't need a review to tell you what to expect, like I said it's more of the same. There's plenty of vulgar and crude humor as well as a ton of male nudity (definitely not for the homophobic). I've read some rants discussed with how gay these films are (as well as the cast) but it seems like someone who would complain about that sort of thing has got some issues to figure out themselves. Like all 'JACKASS' films it's all done in good taste. It is somewhat emotional to see Ryan Dunn again on film after what happened to him. There's some great scenes of him and Bam bonding that really capture the humanity of both men (in a more rare way than the other films, it seems to me, maybe it just appears that way now though). The film, like all the others, is a great tribute to Dunn but it would be nice to see a collection of all his greatest stunts and scenes (I'm sure one is coming). Anyway the film is worth checking out just for him. F--- Roger Ebert!
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